Last weekend's outing

Bordeaux in the Spring!

Down by the river

and at her favourite shop (sigh)

When you have a good one, hold him/her close

Buddies on ice

Buddies for life?

Every winter, Toronto's budget fails to extend to keeping the outdoor rinks open through March break. Every year, after public protest, the Council find some funds for a few rinks and lucky for us, Dufferin Grove always squeaks onto that list. So on the last day of Spring Break, 2 happy lads and a happy dad played some group shinny.

Here's the report:
It was just wonderful. Crisp & cold & sunny, ice still almost entirely good, just the right number of dads and kids, nobody hogging the puck or getting too wound up, M-A & Seb & I were on the same team and we all had so much fun. A glorious last day of outdoor hockey in Toronto.

This Sunday had a theme!

So, continents apart, this Sunday had an unexpected theme - 2 wheels! 

The Sophster didn't want to hike but loved the idea of a spin, so off we shot. It wasn't as warm as our family ride in February but it was still lovely. Too bad about the part where I didn't know which road to take and so we shot down this long and fun hill, only to discover that we had to re-climb it. Sophie said something along the lines of "Why do my parents always get us lost! %@#*!" Fortunately, the 7 horses that we spotted and the fact that 6 cantered over to see her, alleviated the thigh burn.

Whilst in Toronto, the temperature hovered around -10... but that didn't stop an intrepid dad and two 11 year olds from scouring the 2nd-hand ads and scoring a new bike for Spring - which will arrive at some point... (And this of course means that Sophie has a new-to-her bike waiting in TO; in fact, her dad pointed out that her bro had received it the November before we moved to France, so it has barely been ridden.)

New wheels that will take him places into his teens!!

impish grin

Off to do mischief - or have some computer time - or read her books cuddled up in bed - or play with her dolls - or play school - or...

Another set of "active but different" Sundays

Skating - virtually alone - at Dufferin Grove rink

Meanwhile, where Spring has sprung...

Pal-ing around with Caroline

on our post-Sunday-lunch hike

there were many daffodils to pick (and offer to her teacher)

Wild tulip in the southern Dordogne

I wonder what this Sunday will bring?

Trick or treacle

 Last year, Auntie R had given us some dark treacle (not quite golden but definitely not molasses either). It came in this charming Hallowe'en-inspired tin (thus the "trick or treacle"). We finally dug out a recipe to use and have been enjoying a spiced, ginger cake the past week.

He did it!

So today was the day. After a couple of practices with his dad, today was the day Sebastian rode the subway solo from his gymnastics camp to his dad's workplace.

One call to say that camp had ended and 20 minutes later, one call from a security guard to say that a young man was waiting at reception.

Bravo, young man!

Amazing our friends

I am not sure that my Greek-inspired meal was quite amazing, but Cecile & the girls did appreciate it.
What amazed them was this truly incredible book - black ink on white paper - that completely transforms and comes alive when you run a sheet of lined plastic across the pattern. Check out Poemotion 1 - by Takahiro Kurashima

Some signs of Spring

The colours captivated me 

Today's breakfast - complete with fresh o.j.

Garden pea and mint soup with a hint of something creamy - yummy!

Our lad & his hairstyles

We are quite proud of our effort

My first "French braid" in 2 1/2 decades

and that lovely posture and gorgeous sweater

Worshipping Spring's Sunshine

This past week, we have chased the sun's short arc across the courtyard

Some new window boxes

spotted the flowers 

the tulips and hyacinths are coming on strong

hung our first laundry - which all dried within 8 hours

and eaten outside repeatedly



So so fortunate

2 active but different Sundays

Seb & his dad were out visiting friends and clambering over the frozen waves that line Lake Ontario this frigid winter

meanwhile Sophie & I were delighting in warm spring weather and renewing our weekly rambles

Very serious business

When the dentist spots 5 - yes, FIVE! - cavities, one gets very serious about brushing twice/day and flossing regularly

More from last week's snow break

rosy cheeked and happy after playing in the snow

She called herself the blue marshmallow and was toasty warm

messing about with their parents' swimsuits

I wish I had snaps of the indoor-outdoor pool and how my hair froze in the outdoor hot tub.

Poor poppet

First day back at school and she vomits in class...

Here she is cuddled up in bed, in between meetings with the plastic bucket. I extended my leave from work by a day.

A family who skis together - 2015 version

It was cold and bit windy but we had 2 days of skiing last week with the kids straight home from Florida's sunshine! On both days Sophie declared that she would never ski again, and Sebastian bemoaned his loss of muscle and skill but we are all up for more.